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Coachella 2011: The headliners guaranteed to dazzle in the dark

Those who have spent the money to travel to the Empire Polo Field for the sold-out Coachella Music and Arts Festival come for many reasons, but the main engine luring the masses are the headliners, those fortunate acts that have made it onto the five stages at peak hour, the Grammy winners and platinum sellers who get to gig when the crowd is fueled and the moon is high. Here's a glimpse at some of the highlights after dark, along with tips on essential downloads.

Those who have spent the money to travel to the Empire Polo Field for the sold-out Coachella Music and Arts Festival come for many reasons, but the main engine luring the masses are the headliners, those fortunate acts that have made it onto the five stages at peak hour, the Grammy winners and platinum sellers who get to gig when the crowd is fueled and the moon is high. Here’s a glimpse at some of the highlights after dark, along with tips on essential downloads.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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FRIDAY

Robyn

Chances are you overlooked Robyn’s “Body Talk” series -- a shame considering the Swedish pop chanteuse gave listeners three discs of sweat-inducing, club-ready electropop. Though she’s a megahit back home, stateside she has struggled to tap into the crossover success she enjoyed with her late ‘90s debut. While all three discs managed to rule on the U.S. dance charts, she has yet to get much face time on American television (excluding that one-minute commercial break performance on the 2010 Video Music Awards).

Download: “Dancing On My Own,” “Fembot” and “With Every Heartbeat”

-- Gerrick Kennedy  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images)

SATURDAY

Arcade Fire

The moment still shines, that 2011 Grammy album-of-the-year surprise that introduced Arcade Fire to a big chunk of the world and caused a smaller but exceedingly passionate fanbase to rejoice at the notion that their favorite nine-piece Quebecois rock band received the affirmation of the academy. Those who have seen Arcade Fire understand the potential of Coachella’s center-stage moment; if anyone can bring it, it’s Arcade Fire. Artist Chris Milk designed its light show, which could become the most discussed visual Coachella moment since Daft Punk’s pyramid arrival in 2006.

Download: “Rebellion (Lies),” Ready to Start,” “Keep the Car Running”

-- R.R.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

SATURDAY

Mumford & Sons

Any band that can move to the top of the rock charts with a banjo in tow deserves some sort of award. Mumford & Sons, from West London, did it on the back of a few honest, no-bull songs with solid structures and confident drive. The band’s rise, in fact, has been fascinating to watch; it has moved from playing the Troubadour to selling out the Palladium within the same year, and with its top-of-the-ticket slot Saturday, the band stands to take it even further.

Download: “The Cave,” “Roll Away Your Stone,” “Days/This Time Tomorrow” (Kinks cover)

-- R.R.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

SUNDAY

Kanye West

Offering a headlining slot to the man with a strange inability to bite his tongue sparked its own firestorm with many Coachella purists thinking the polarizing rapper would be a deal-breaker for the festival. With “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” he won the acclaim of most music journos and the disc landed on numerous “best of the year” charts. Needless to say, he’s one to watch -- though here’s hoping he doesn’t pull a Bonnaroo and keep the crowd waiting, as he’s wont to do.

Download: “Runaway,” “Heartless,” and “Stronger”

-- G.K.   (Nousha Salimi / Associated Press)

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